On November 7th, 2006, the D.C. voters in Ward Five, ANC 5C-02, elected me to a position on the 5C Advisory Neighborhood Commission. Please visit my blog at www.5c02.blogspot.com for updates on neighborhood activities and concerns.

Monday, August 21, 2006

D.C. Police: Friend or Foe?

Yesterday afternoon, I met a local resident who told me some disturbing allegations concerning members of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Angela, who lives on the unit block of O Street NW, told me that MPD personnel beat her 23-year-old son on July 18, when he ran from police. The police were responding to reports of drug activity, and her son happened to be in the target area (two blocks from his home). For whatever reason, he ran when confronted by the police.

According to Angela, several police officers beat her son and one "stomped" on his head. Her son sustained substantial injuries (concussions) that have sent him to the hospital three times. He possessed no drugs, and it appears he put up no resistance. I did not interview her son, but he came out and stood in the doorway of their home. He did not have a large build, and it appeared that a single officer easily should have been able to restrain him. The look in his eyes suggested bewilderment and fear.Angela alleges that, since the time of the beating, police officers have mocked her son, calling him names relating to the fact that he ran. In addition, Angela believes that her family is being harassed because she told police that she would file a complaint. Every weekend, a large police vehicle (the size of a motor home) has been stationed just steps from her door. As we spoke, such a vehicle stood idling with the engine running but no officer in sight. (Update 8/25: another neighbor has informed me that the police vehicle was regularly stationed on that street long before the incident in question.)

Allegations of excessive use of force represent the worst possible outcome for any community. In some cases, the true criminals will continue to elude justice in part because the residents are too afraid of or angry at the police to assist them with their duties. These are serious allegations, but the police department must be given the opportunity to investigate and determine the truth or falsity of the allegations. I will be in touch with MPD and look forward to an eventual response.

12 Comments:

I've done a bunch of posts on our lazy, inept, corrupt police department. If you get to my blog, I have a search box. Type in "D.C. Cops Suck Ass" and you should see a bunch of posts. I'm disgusted at their behavior, both the lack of response and now these allegations that they are beating innocent people and ending up in court, only to find that the taxpayers have to pay the settlements, and the cops get to keep their jobs. It makes me sick, and if you wage a campaign, I'll help you in any way I can.

Anon - Please! Hell, I'd run from them too. Why stick around, let them find something on the ground and all of a sudden decide it's yours and charge you for something you didn't do. I hear too many of those stories as well. You don't have to stand and talk to police if you are not detained. It's called a Constitutional right.

You also have a right not to get beat and hospitalized by those who are supposed to protect us.

im sure he's a fine young innocent boy.velvet must of got a ticket in her high rent district within the district of columbia, thats why she posts the anger against the police or the police didnt kneel down and worship her, because she's white and has money. get real old lady.

I hope she does file a complaint. What an incredible waste of scarce police resources to park a camper-sized vehicle outside her apartment, if that's the reason why. It'd be interesting to hear their explanation for its presence. -Erika

I have to confess, after 10 years of watching everything and anything right in front of the pictured bldg. on this blog and as a resident of "O" street I can only say from your original statement I am sure you have grown! There is so much covert drug activity happening on "O" Street that for the most part the MPD normally does not make to many mistakes when it comes to stopping folks "in an attempt to keep the street in order".

I have been stopped and searched as well! Guess what; I actually accepted the action. Compared to dogging bullets weekly from the thugs that actually really want to rule the street. I'll welcome the extra scrutiny! If you are clean than you really have nothing to be concerned about! We have to face it....it will take hard tactics to clean up "O". I guess your other options are...……..please name them for me!

DC metropolitan police has a bad reputation. The force is constantly being charged with police brutality. One of them in particular comes to mind. His name is Victor Haskins and he works the 2nd district. Why is this brute still in the force? He is being protected by the force. There have been numerous complaints and write ups about him. These complaints range from picking on a Sunday School teacher on the way to Church in Georgetown, beating almost to death a young man at a convenience store, to pulling a child, an innocent 13 year old boy from his home in the early hours of a Sunday morning under false pretense and beating him so severely that he spent days in a hospital. These are only a few of the many complaints against him. Victor Haskins has to go. We, the taxpayers are paying his salary for him to terrorise innocent citizens. He has caused much pain, grief and distruction of peaceful existence of good working families. Why would we want someone like him to protect us? He is a huge man who preys on small statured people that he is supposed to be protecting. The second district covers up for him. The District of Columbia Government uses the Tax payers money to pay settlements and legal fees on his behalf. HE HAS TO GO! He is a disgrace to any law enforcement force. Members of the DC Metropolitan Police should be ashamed to have him as a member of their force. It is arrogant cops like Victor Haskins that give a bad name to the police force. It seems that he is being kept in the force because his superiors are afraid to take action against him since as a city employee, and probably a union member, he has rights; WHAT ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS IN THIS TOWN? HASKINS, THE UNCONTROLLED BRUTE MUST BE CONTAINED BY BEING MEDICATED, TASERED OR SIMPLY AND MORE EFFICIENTLY REMOVED FROM THE FORCE.

I am not sure of the incidents you speak off. yet i do know that Officer Victor Haskins is a great man, and a great police officer, I am guessing all of you that wrote on here, are dumb, stupid, or in denial of your neighborhood. Drugs are in DC and around you, so stop denying and let the police do their job. If we didnt have police to stop the drugs, we would be back in 1980s cracktown DC!

You are truly naive if you think HASKINS will protect any citizen. He is a criminal with a badge, a gun and who knows what else. He picks on old ladies, Sunday school teachers and little children. THAT BRUTE HAS TO GO BEFORE HE KILLS SOMEONE. HE IS OUT OF CONTROL. Don't be stupid; you could be his next victim unless-- who are you anyway?

Is Haskins gone yet???!!! I saw his lazy fat ass recently and I nearly threw up. Does anyone with any power ever read these comments? I can hardly wait for JUSTICE FROM UP ABOVE because the ones in charge here are not capable of taking care of business and get rid of this runaway tyrant who terrorizes old ladies and little children. Just hope that his next victim is not one of yours. Victor Haskins is probably the worse police officer in DC and yet he is allowed to continue his illegal activities uninterropted. This police department obviously rewards corrupt behavior. Remember Haskins, nothing is forever. There will come a time when not even the most powerful person on earth will be able to protect you. YOU WILL BURN IN HELL.